The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has urged greater strategic investment in waste management infrastructure to close existing gaps and support the creation of a comprehensive Waste Management Master Plan for Lagos State.
The Managing Director and CEO, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the appeal recently at LAWMA’s headquarters in Ijora Olopa during a meeting with a delegation from the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
He noted that Lagos currently does not have a formal waste management master plan, but said efforts are underway to develop one that will serve as a long-term guide for planning, investment, and sustainability in the sector.
Gbadegesin stressed that addressing infrastructure shortages across the waste value chain would require consistent and intentional investment. He highlighted key areas such as landfill development, material recovery facilities, waste-to-energy and biogas projects, as well as mechanised street sweeping systems.
He also pointed to the need for investment in skills development and for expanding Public-Private Partnerships through Private Sector Participation operators.
According to him, encouraging local production and assembly of waste management equipment—such as compactor trucks and tricycle compactors—would improve efficiency and help reduce operational costs.
He added that strengthening these areas would enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and lower overall expenses in the state’s waste management system.
Gbadegesin further called for the expansion of recycling and resource recovery systems, noting that establishing material recovery facilities in areas like Epe and Badagry would reduce the burden on landfills and promote better resource use.
He described Lagos as a fast-growing megacity that requires a well-structured, future-focused waste management framework capable of addressing present challenges while preparing for future needs.
The EU delegation leader, Jacques Remy, commended LAWMA’s reform efforts and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving waste management in Lagos. He also expressed the European Union’s interest in deepening cooperation with the agency, particularly in infrastructure development, capacity building, and sustainable waste solutions.
LAWMA reaffirmed its commitment to working with development partners and stakeholders to build a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable waste management system for Lagos State.
